Who to ask to pick up decorations?

Peledreamsofrain

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amymaysa

If they offer to help, great, but I think it's a little rude to ask them to make sure everything gets packed up.

Can you or your parents do this? What about a coordinator at the venue to help?

AlexaNP

I'm not sure I would want to ask anyone, because they would probably feel obligated to say yes even if they didn't want to (I know I would).  But maybe someone will volunteer if you are talking about cleaning up after.  A lot of the weddings I've been to the BM & GM help clean up after, but I'm not sure if they were asked or volunteered.  For my wedding, my mom & FMIL volunteered to help, and who knows, some of the BP may stick around, too, but I haven't brought it up to them.

Peledreamsofrain

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OliveOilsMom

My venue packed everything up for me at the end of the night, in the same boxes I dropped the stuff off in.  You said your venue will be cleaning up.  I'm sure this will include giving back any items you gave them.  You should call and ask them.

Peledreamsofrain

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amymaysa

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_karma-is-scary?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:f2d2d662-044b-4a04-901d-ef7745f9f9a8Post:76a78145-a28a-4417-a588-58c7b04271a5">Re: Who to ask to pick up decorations?</a>:
[QUOTE]Well darn.  I just called my venue and asked them if they would be willing to put decorations in a box and put them aside during cleanup, and they told me they were entirely our responsibility.  Apparently we can't even pay them to do it due to 'liability issues'.  Whatever that means.  I'm not going to sue them if they rip a paper lantern *sigh*.<strong> I think I might ask my parents, or just come down after the guests leave and I've gotten out of my dress.  The decorations have to be removed by midnight.  Some honeymoon :/</strong>
Posted by Peledreamsofrain[/QUOTE]

I think you need to make a choice, either build in some time to take things down or pay for a DOC who will do it for you. It stinks your venue won't help, but if they can't, they can't and you guys need to figure it out.

reppunzel

I was a bridesmaid this past November, and the bridal party cleaned up the church/reception hall with the families after the wedding.  None of us specifically volunteered, we were asked, and it didn't seem at all out of line -- those of us whose work schedules allowed it had happily been part of the decorating/set up on Friday, too.  

We weren't in the bridal party just to wear pretty dresses, pose for pictures and have our own mini-versions of a pretty princess day -- we were there because we loved the bride/groom and serving them by helping out as we could seemed a natural part of that. 

 I'm not talking about demanding expectations or an entitlement attitude, but honestly, if your bridesmaids are your nearest-and-dearest friends, you should be able to ask them for help!  Maybe it's just the culture/mindset I come from, but we would have been horrified if the bride was planning to change clothes and come back to pack things up rather than asking us.

saric83

You need to hire someone to do it or ask some aunts or friends of your parents or something like that, if you don't want to do it yourself. 

I've definitely helped take down decorations MANY times, and while I always did it to help out my friends, it certainly wasn't exactly how I hoped to end my night. I went so far out of my way to make sure that my own WP didn't have to do it!  At the end of the night, they're equally as exhausted (and possibly intoxicated) as you are, so if you don't want to be bothered to do it (and understandably), please don't expect your friends to do it.